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A buildup of sodium in the brain detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be a biomarker for the degeneration of nerve cells that occurs in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.

The study found that patients with early-stage MS showed sodium accumulation in specific brain regions, while patients with more advanced disease showed sodium accumulation throughout the whole brain.

Sodium buildup in motor areas of the brain correlated directly to the degree of disability seen in the advanced-stage patients.

"A major challenge with multiple sclerosis is providing patients with a prognosis of disease progression," said Patrick Cozzone, Ph.D., director emeritus of the Center for Magnetic Resonance in Biology and Medicine, a joint unit of National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Aix-Marseille University in Marseille, France. ... Read More - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... ageid/1327

HarryZ wrote:Would the sodium build up in the brain be caused by improper circulation...like that involved with CCSVI?

Good catch, Harry! It could be. I wrote about it on FB. We see the same build up of sodium ions in venous disease.

Acute venous congestion releases sodium ions into the blood stream. A compromised blood brain barrier would allow these ions to infiltrate brain tissue.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7143701and Budd Chiari, a disease of hepatic congestion which destroys the liver, shows a build up of sodium ions. Release of sodium ions is an indicator of venous disease.

Sodium ions are released in edema, Mark---it's a scientific fact. Found in venous congestion in the legs, liver, kidneys. Why not in the brain?It's part of the renin-angiotensis system.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7143701Iron deposition is another marker found in MS brains and in venous congestion. A leaky blood brain barrier doesn't help...cheer

Sodium ions are released in edema, Mark---it's a scientific fact. Found in venous congestion in the legs, liver, kidneys. Why not in the brain?It's part of the renin-angiotensis system.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7143701

Except the article you cite talks about Na+ leaking into the blood (in dogs), not from the blood into an organ. So it doesn't have much relevance.

Sorry, Patient. You are absolutely correct, as always!Should have linked the following showing raised venous pressure, edema and Na retention in organs.

From a renal standpoint, an increase in venous congestion and pressure has both hemodynamic and intrinsic detrimental consequences on the kidneys as it reduces organ perfusion and increases Na retention.16 Of note, both pro-oxidant free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tissue necrosis factor-a, which are released by the stretch endothelium in response to venous congestion, have been shown to reduce renal sodium excretion.22,23

Evidence is presented that an increase in renal venous pressure can cause sodium retention by a direct action on the kidney: a rise in venous pressure could thereby initiate a vicious circle by causing sodium retention, expansion of plasma volume, and further increase in venous pressure. This sequence of events may be crucial in the pathophysiology of cor pulmonale, and an exacerbating factor in other oedematous states.

The kidneys measure out chemicals like sodium, phosphorus, and potassium and release them back to the blood to return to the body. In this way, the kidneys regulate the body's level of these substances

That's pretty much the conclusion of the authors of this study. They and the references they cite indicate the excess Na+ is related to the sodium channels along damaged axons. They think monitoring the buildup of Na+ in the brain with MRI might be a good indicator of MS progression. Some of the references conclude that the sodium channels might be a route to protecting the axons, though these are now a little dated, since this sounds the mechanism of Amprya.

found a non-referenced source suggesting that low calcium, magnesium and/or zinc can result in sodium accumulation. absence of antagonists permitting buildup. i have previously posted a study on the dysregulation and deposition of iron in zinc deficiency, but i'm not able to quickly locate research on the sodium side of it. if i find anything peer-reviewed, will post.

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